Pope to stay with Cardinal Pell during WYD

Pope Benedict will be Archbishop of Sydney George Pell's special house guest during his four day visit in July for World Youth Day.

AAP reports NSW Deputy Premier John Watkins released a few details of the Papal visit yesterday which will involve a massive security and logistical exercise for the State.

The Pope will stay at the residence next to St Mary's Cathedral during his visit.

Along with other WYD dignitaries, the Pope will travel by boat to some Sydney locations and WYD events.

As well as Randwick Racecourse, the Pope is likely to visit sites including the newly-named Barangaroo site in East Darling Harbour, the Domain, the Opera House and Centennial Park.

A spokesman for WYD said the Pope was expected to arrive at Barangaroo by boat for his official welcome.

WYD organisers have only 10 weeks exclusive access to Royal Randwick in which to transform the racecourse for the July 20 papal mass.

A stage to hold the Pope and 1,000 senior clergy as well facilities for the more than 300,000 people inside the racecourse must be built in that time.
WYD sites announced

Barangaroo and other major CBD venues have been announced as WYD event sites.

Deputy Premier John Watkins said that Barangaroo in East Darling Harbour will be the venue for three showpiece events.

WYD08 Chief Operating Officer Danny Casey said the "magnificent harbour front site" will host the Opening Mass, the Papal Arrival, two Stations of the Cross and several Youth Festival events.

Barangaroo is expected to host up to 150,000 pilgrims for the Opening Mass to mark the start of the six-day event at 4.30pm on Tuesday 15 July.

On Thursday 17 July, Pope Benedict XVI will arrive at Barangaroo by boat for his Official Welcome. The other major CBD venues which the Deputy Premier confirmed include Royal Botanic Gardens, the Domain, Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Darling Harbour, Randwick Racecourse and Centennial Park.